New Grant to Support the Development of a Decision-Support Tool for Water Utilities Nationwide
September 9, 2024
Ann Arbor, Michigan – CIS, LLC was awarded a competitive grant by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) towards a research project, titled “Making the Case for Climate‐Resilient Water Infrastructure and Supporting Strategies.” This initiative will develop a user-friendly decision-support tool to help water utilities optimize their resources, ensure long-term sustainability, and implement climate-resilient infrastructure solutions. The funding award of $117,000 is jointly made by WRF and Water Utility Climate Alliance, and includes in-kind support from participating utilities at Canandaigua (NY), Eugene (OR), and Rochester (NY) as well as CIS.
As climate impacts become more severe, water utilities urgently need to assess the costs and benefits of climate-resilient infrastructure. Despite existing methods, there is no U.S.-based guidance to compare these costs and benefits over time, leaving utilities underprepared for future challenges.
Overall, the project will develop a tool to help utilities make informed decisions about climate-related investments. CIS Team will work with utilities nationwide that include the City of Rochester Bureau of Water, Eugene Water and Electric Board, Stormwater Authority of Chester (PA), and the Town of Canandaigua Highway Department and gather insights to shape the tool’s design. This feedback, along with a review of existing research, will guide the creation of a practical, user-friendly tool tailored to the challenges utilities face with climate change.
This tool will include components for data collection and analysis, allowing utilities to gather and interpret climate-related data relevant to their operations. It will also offer predictive modeling capabilities to forecast future climate scenarios and their potential effects on water systems. The tool will provide risk assessment features to evaluate vulnerabilities and identify critical areas needing adaptation. Lastly, it will include visualization and reporting functions to effectively communicate findings and support decision-making processes.
“CIS is proud to receive this funding from The Water Research Foundation,” said Sri Vedachalam, Ph.D., CIS’s Senior Director for Advisory Services and Principal Investigator for this project. “This project allows us to develop practical, scalable solutions that will help utilities across the country prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”
The outcomes of this research are anticipated to benefit the water sector by providing utility managers with the tools they need to prioritize, optimize, and justify investments in climate-resilient infrastructure. The project will also enhance the ability of utilities to communicate the importance of these investments to stakeholders and build consensus for action.
CIS has partnered with Radbridge, Inc., a firm that specializes in economic impact analysis through data and technology, to develop this decision-support tool.
It is anticipated that project results will be available in 2026. To stay up to date on project progress, visit the 5222 project page on the WRF website (www.waterrf.org). For additional questions about this research, please contact the Project Lead at sri (at) cisolutions.com.
About The Water Research Foundation
WRF is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public. For more information, visit www.waterrf.org.
About CIS, LLC
CIS is a national leader in the development and implementation of public infrastructure solutions, focusing on improving the environmental, economic, and social condition of the nation’s infrastructure through solutions that drive local economic inclusion and equity, reduction of public risk, and increased community investment and buy-in. CIS also offers related advisory expertise and services on topics including nature-based solutions, climate resilience, disaster prevention, environmental equity/justice, green stormwater infrastructure, environmental finance, water affordability, and public trust. For more information, please visit www.cisolutions.com.